28 October 2026
Eight and a half years ago, Lauren came to her local WithYou service for treatment for alcohol use. Today she is eight and a half years sober, works as a recovery worker in the service's Criminal Justice Intervention Team (CJIT), and has just completed the Three Peaks Challenge, raising thousands of pounds for the service that helped her.
Three peaks for the people who helped her
This year Lauren took on the Three Peaks Challenge, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). For her, every summit had a meaning.
"I dedicated each mountain to the people who helped me through my recovery, so it was a very special and personal achievement," she says. "Along with raising awareness and as much money as I could for the clients."
Together with her summer fundraising, Lauren has raised over £2,000 for the service in North Somerset. "It is important to me to put that money back in to help others," she says.
From client to colleague
Lauren first came to the service for treatment eight and a half years ago. After getting sober, she volunteered for about a year, then completed counselling and mental health qualifications. In October 2025 she returned as a recovery worker.
It feels especially meaningful to work here because it is where I received treatment," she says. "I wanted to give something back and help people to recover.
Before her recovery work, Lauren spent 25 years in the hair and beauty industry. She is mum to a 13-year-old son who is thriving at school. "I now enjoy a happy and active life," she says. She likes the gym, hiking and walking, as well as mindfulness, crystal therapy, spa days, shopping and holidays.
Supporting people in the criminal justice system
In the CJIT team, Lauren supports clients through treatment, covers duty and direct access, and helps people engage with individual treatment plans focused on harm reduction and abstinence.
She runs the service's court intervention programme, attending court every other week to support clients and encourage people to engage with the service if they feel they need it. She also facilitates Roots to Recovery, a 12- or 24-week criminal justice programme. It's one of her favourite parts of the job because of the opportunity to see changes in people over time.
"The part of the role I value most is being face to face with people, both in groups and in one-to-one work," she says. "A recent example was a client who completed treatment and told me it felt 'like a cloud had lifted', which is exactly why I do this job."
Looking ahead
Lauren's approach to recovery, to her work and to three mountains comes down to the same thing. Her motto is simple: "One day at a time."
